February 1 1,2009 "Preparingtoday's students to Ee,ExvE succeed in tomorrow's world Honorable Kim G. Dunning 1 FEB 2 0 2008 Presiding Judge of the Superior Court 700 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, California 92701 __------=I;\
Dear Judge Dunning:
Tz .. .r . IK aE Grades? " Findings Finding F- 1 : Orange County charter schools meet the intent of the Education Code 47600- 47664 by providing parents and pupils a choice in educational opportunities, emphasizing specific learning experiences, and aiding at-risk or acader?zically low-achieving students. Response: The Saddleback Valley Unified School District agrees with this finding. Ralph A. Gates Elementary School, the charter school within our District, offers a unique two-way language immersion program which produces positiye learning ,outcomes for all learners, including students who hemographicilly kould be classified as at-Cisk'ahd potentially low- achieving students, specifically students who are English language learners. Finding. F-2: The number of charter schools in Orange County is not growing comrnerzsurate with the overall growth of charter schools in California. Response: The Saddleback Valley Unified School District has no evidence that refutes this - - finding, therefore thp, District agrees with this-finding. .Declining enrollment ..a -cilrrent condition~ ~ in our District and many others in Orange County, may be a factor affecting the growth of charter schools within the County. Finding F-3: The Orange County school districts' oversight costs, in some districts, exceed the authorized 1 % reimbursement. Response: The ~addleba~k:~alle~Unified School District agrees with the finding. The oversight costs for Ralph .A,, ._...~at'e~ , ./:,.~le&ntar~ Schcjol exceed the, $uehbi-ized 1% reimbursement. , ., ,'. - '..?. .. ,.* . ' ,i.$ . I. ., ...... , . <.: SADDLEBACK VALLEY I BOARD OF EDUCATION UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Ginny Fay Aitkens, President Don Sedgwick, Vice President ' 25631 PETER A. HARTMAN WAY Steven L. Fish, Ed.D. Dore J. Gilbert, M.D., Clerk MISSION VIEJO, CALIF ORNIA 92691 SUPERINTENDENT Nancy W. Kirkpatrick, Member (949) 586-1234 www.svusd. k12. ca. us Suzie R. Swarh, Member Honorable Kim G. Dunning February 11,2009 Page 2 Recommendations Recommendation R-1: Orange County school districts and Orange County Superintendent of Schools continue to ofSer expanded choices for educational opportunities, as required in the State Education Code, by utilizing charter schools as an option to provide additional choices, especially for at-risk and academically low-achieving students. Response: The Saddleback Valley Unified School District agrees with this recommendation. Choices of educational opportunities are offered through a variety of District programs, including the two-way language immersion program offered at Ralph A. Gates Elementary ------c-~S,hool,------=------y-----C- - -~c--- - - Recommendation R-2: The chartering authorities should follow the intent of the legislature by encouraging the establishment of charter schools by granting more charter school petitions provided they meet the State requirements. Response: The Saddleback Valley Unified School District agrees with this recommendation. The District evaluates each charter petition utilizing the criteria provided in state law, regulations and case law. Charter school petitions that meet all of the state requirements are accepted by the Board of Education. Recommendation R-3: Local school districts provide adequate oversight of charter schools even though State law does not allow for fill reimbursement for oversight. Response: The Saddleback Valley Unified School District agrees with this recommendation. District staff works closely and cooperatively with the staff at Ralph A. Gates Elementary School to support the unique aspects of the charter school program as well as those aspects of the program that are consistent with the general education program in the District. A copy of this response will be m~iJedseparately to the Orange County Grand Jury. - - Sincerely, Steven.L. Fish, Ed.D. Superintendent C: Orange County Grand Jury